GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2023

SESSION LAW 2023-51

SENATE BILL 22

AN ACT to change the names of the outdoor heritage advisory council and the North Carolina Outdoor Heritage Trust fund and to authorize the use of grants and programming to promote youth outdoor recreational activities.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Part 36 of Article 7 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:

Part 36. Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council.North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission.

§ 143B‑344.60.  Outdoor heritage advisory council.North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission.

(a)        The Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission (hereinafter Commission) is established within the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for organizational and budgetary purposes only. The Council Commission shall exercise all of its statutory powers independent of control by the Executive Director of the Wildlife Resources Commission. The Council Commission shall (i) advise State agencies and the General Assembly on the promotion of outdoor recreational activities, including, but not limited to, hiking, horseback riding, boating, sport shooting and archery, bird watching and wildlife watching, camping, swimming, hunting, trapping, and fishing in order to preserve North Carolina's outdoor heritage for future generations.generations and (ii) use grants and programming to promote the outdoor recreational activities described in this subsection.

(b)        The Council Commission shall consist of 13 members, appointed as follows:

(1)        Four members appointed by the General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(2)        Four members appointed by the General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(3)        Three members appointed by the Governor.

(4)        One member appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture.

(5)        One member appointed by the chair of the Wildlife Resources Commission.

All members of the Council Commission shall have knowledge and experience in outdoor recreational activities and have a demonstrated interest in promoting outdoor heritage.

(c)        The terms of the initial members of the Council Commission shall commence October 1, 2015. Of the Governor's initial appointments, one member shall be designated to serve a term of three years, one member shall be designated to serve a term of two years, and one member shall be designated to serve a term of one year. Of the initial appointments by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one member shall be designated to serve a term of three years, one member shall be designated to serve a term of two years, and one member shall be designated to serve a term of one year. Of the initial appointments by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one member shall be designated to serve a term of three years, one member shall be designated to serve a term of two years, and one member shall be designated to serve a term of one year. The members appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and the chair of the Wildlife Resources Commission shall each serve an initial term of four years. After the initial appointees' terms have expired, all members shall be appointed for a term of four years.

Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Council Commission created by the resignation, dismissal, death, or disability of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.

(d)       The initial chair of the Council Commission shall be designated by the Governor from the Council Commission members. Subsequent chairs shall be elected by the Council Commission for terms of two years.

(e)        The Council Commission shall meet quarterly and at other times at the call of the chair. A majority of members of the Council Commission shall constitute a quorum.

(f)        Council Commission members shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with G.S. 138‑5 and G.S. 138‑6, as applicable. The reimbursements authorized by this subsection may be provided from the North Carolina Outdoor Heritage Trust Fund for Youth Outdoor Heritage Promotion.Youth Outdoor Engagement Fund.

(g)        The Executive Director of the Wildlife Resources Commission shall provide clerical and other assistance as needed, including, but not limited to, office space, transportation support, and support for equipment and information technology needs of the Council.Commission.

(h)        The Council Commission shall be exempt from Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes but may use the services of the Department of Administration in procuring goods and services for the Council.Commission.

§ 143B‑344.62.  Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission – executive director; staff.

The Council Commission may, subject to appropriations or other funds that accrue to it, employ an executive director to carry out the day‑to‑day responsibilities and business of the Council. Commission. The executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the Council. Commission. The executive director, also subject to appropriations or other funds that accrue to the Council, Commission, may hire additional staff and consultants to assist in the discharge of the executive director's responsibilities, as determined by the Council.Commission.

§ 143B‑344.64.  Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission – report.

On or before December 1, 2019, and at least annually thereafter, the Council Commission shall submit a report to the chairs of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources and the Fiscal Research Division regarding its activities, initiatives, partnerships, and use of donated and appropriated funds.

SECTION 2.  G.S. 126‑5(c1)(36) reads as rewritten:

(36)    Employees of the Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council.North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission.

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 14th day of June, 2023.

                                                                    s/  Phil Berger

                                                                         President Pro Tempore of the Senate

                                                                    s/  Tim Moore

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/  Roy Cooper

                                                                         Governor

Approved 3:38 p.m. this 23rd day of June, 2023